Victims' kin thank PNoy for 'help' in Maguindanao massacre case

Although bothered by the snail-paced trial, relatives of the 57 people killed in the grisly November 2009 massacre in Maguindanao province still lauded President Benigno Aquino III for the positive developments in the case since he assumed the presidency exactly a year ago Thursday. Catherine Nuñez, mother of slain UNTV cameraman Victor Nuñez, and her lawyer Harry Roque praised Aquino for pushing for the live media coverage of the trial being held inside Camp Bagong Diwa City in Taguig City. Even though the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on the live coverage came with "strict conditions," Nuñez said it will greatly help the victims to better monitor the progress of the case, which is expected to drag on for years. Private prosecutor Nena Santos, legal counsel for Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, said Aquino has been "very helpful" to them through Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. Mangudadatu lost his wife and two sisters in the massacre, now regarded as the worst electoral violence in the Philippines and worst single attack on journalists anywhere in the world. "The President is really making tutok," Santos told reporters after Thursday’s hearing. De Lima has revamped the prosecution panel and replaced the old team for allegedly lacking "zeal and aggressiveness" in handling the case. A new panel, led by Regional Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Medalle, took over. Santos also praised Aquino because she said he "gave a direction" to the Philippine National Police to ensure that all 197 suspects in the massacre are arrested. Still, the victims hope the government could do something to expedite the proceedings. "Hindi kami kuntento (sa bilis). Wala kaming nakikitang resulta," Nuñez said. Nuñez said while more than 90 massacre suspects have been arrested, including members of the powerful Ampatuan clan, she is still bothered by reports that the suspects are receiving special treatment inside the Quezon City Jail Annex in Taguig City. So far, only two Ampatuan clan members — Andal Ampatuan Sr. and son Andal Jr. — have been arraigned for the murder charges. Also arraigned were around 50 policemen and militiamen who were allegedly part of the Ampatuans' private army. All of them have pleaded not guilty to the 57 counts of murder slapped against them. "Palaging pinagbibigyan ang depensa. Ang mga suspects ay may VIP treatment," Nunez said. Both the defense camp and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology have repeatedly denied the accusation. Nuñez also criticized the Aquino administration for failing to give financial assistance to her and other relatives of the victims living in Mindanao. She said they have to shell out their own money to attend the hearings in Manila. She said the assistance they have been getting from non-government organizations was not enough. Roque, who represents families of 15 of the 32 journalists killed in the massacre, stressed the government's obligation to extend monetary help to his clients. "I expected him (Aquino) to pay compensation for state breach of duty to protect and promote right to life," he said. — KBK, GMA News